It was a closely run race in all disciplines. The Team of the Pferdezuchtverband Baden- Württemberg beat its rivals by only five points margin in the overall scores, ahead of the young breeders from Sweden and the Hanoverians. The Holsteiner Verband, which had been dominating the previous three championships in France, Sweden and England, won in Canada only in the Senior team category, for ages 20 – 25 years. First place among the Junior teams, with participants aged 16 – 19 years, went to the Hanoverians.

In the individual rankings, the Danish participant Lasse Reiffenstein Bendixen won the Senior category. In the Junior category, the judges were treated to a very special performance by Sarah Scheerer from the Hanoverians, who emerged as the clear winner. The 18-year-old did not only win in the junior category, but also in the overall rankings of all ages. In all disciplines she consistently achieved first or second place. The first-time participants in the world championships modestly put her success down to the fact that she “simply had a good horse for the in-hand presentation”.

In total, 111 participants from 8 different countries represented 17 different studbooks: teams came from Denmark, Germany, France, Ireland, the host country Canada, Austria, Sweden and the USA. The country sending the largest number of teams was Germany with 37 participants representing 8 studbooks in the international competition.

Over a period of two days, the Canadia Province of Alberta celebrated the subject of horses and the sport: breed types, management, breeding and horse care. Spruce Meadows near Calgary, currently the world’s largest equestrian centre, generously hosted the event and provided a wonderful setting with its world-class and beautiful facilities of stables, arenas and indoor schools.

For the Canadian Warmblood Horse Breeders Association, it was a particular honour to be able to welcome young breeders from across the world in the year of Canada’s 150th anniversary. It was, however, also a significant challenge, which was mastered with great competence. IYB President Inken Gräfin von Platen-Hallermund summarised her impression of the event: “It was a highly successful event, delivered by the Canadian Warmblood breeders with great professionalism, in a very congenial and welcoming atmosphere at Spruce Meadows.”

Even though not everyone returns home a competition champion, all participants greatly benefited from coming to the event. “The best thing about the world championships is the other young people that you get to meet”, explains Philipp Schwarz, young breeder from Bavaria, who is a first-time participant. New friendships were made and every participant has become part of the world-wide network of future equestrian experts, in the spirit of the aims of the competition, which was first started in 2001 by the Hanoverian Society.

With happy participants all round, and with successful results, this eighth World Championships of the Young Breeders 2017 is nearing its end. With competitions planned every two years, the next championships will take place in 2019, when the host will be Austria. Holding the championships in Canada opened the door for new North American studbooks to participate who in the past found the long trip to Europe a little too difficult. Having had a great experience in Calgary, it is hoped that they will be able to make the journey across the pond in 2019, when it will be a pleasure to see, yet again, young breeders from studbooks from across the world competing and sharing their passion for horse breeding.

07-21-2017

Skills and presentation of the highest level – this is how one can summarise the first competition day of the eighth international Championship of Young Breeders in Calgary. Junior and Senior teams alike surprised the judges with their know-how. Alongside a written theory exam for both age groups, the 16 to 19-year-olds presented horses in hand around a triangle. The older participants, aged 20 to 25 years old tested their skills in evaluating horses’ conformation and movement in hand and loose over fences.

The international panel of judges consists of Ira Hagemann from Germany, Jane Bech Jensen from Denmark, the Canadia Charmaine Bergman, as well as Cathy Chalack and Phil Silva from the United States.

In total, 111 participants from 8 different countries represented 17 different studbooks: teams come from Denmark, Germany, France, Ireland, the host country Canada, Austria, Sweden and the USA. The country sending the largest number of teams was Germany with 37 participants representing 8 studbooks in the international competition.

The winners will only be announced on Saturday night, at the end of the final day of the competition. Preliminary results are not being released. The results are calculated from the points gained in all four parts of the competition, a theory test, evaluation of horses loose jumping, evaluation of horses in hand, and presentation of horses in hand. Each part carries a maximum of 100 points, with a possible maximum of 400 points per participant.

The World Championships of the WBFSH Young Breeders is taking place in Spruce Meadows near Calgary in the Canadian Province of Alberta, currently the largest equestrian competition centre in the world. Margaret Southern, wife of the late Ron Southern and co- founder of Spruce Meadows personally welcomed the participants during the evening programme with entertainment.